New Delhi, Nov. 25 -- The founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and his wife, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, were announced as the lead sponsors for the 2026 Met Gala last week, alongside secondary backers, the French luxury brand Saint Laurent and Vogue publisher Conde Nast.

The news of the Bezos couple's sponsorship drew immediate criticism on social media, with commentators arguing that their involvement highlights a trend towards billionaire control of major cultural institutions. Others have suggested that the funds could be better deployed supporting other worthy causes.

"Great theme," wrote one user under a video on The Metropolitan museum's official Instagram post announcing that next year's would be "Costume Art," before adding: "However, stop...